{rainy day thoughts}

As the rain comes down, I'm just thankful that I don't live in a part of the country where tornadoes are a common threat. Don't get me wrong, in Houston we get hurricanes which are terrifying. But you know what? We know when they're coming, usually days or weeks in advance. Once when I was in college, I was back home in Corpus Christi on a break and a hurricane popped up in the gulf and was supposed to hit the next day. I left early the next morning to return to College Station, but the storm ended up hitting south of the city, closer to Brownsville. That's short notice for a hurricane. With tornadoes you get what, a minute or two? Insane. The storm that's coming through now has hit Texas with tornadoes and high winds, but it hasn't been bad so far at our house. I did see a few branches in the street on our trip to preschool, but that was about it. The rain even let up a bit as we pulled into the school enabling me to get the kiddos inside fairly easily. That was a blessing!

Lately my mind has been scattered, especially as I start planning my twins next birthday party and their move to a more traditional school. I immediately start thinking of their future and how I'm raising them. I'm in love with this movement. I am a firm believer of empowering our girls, and doing it in a way that doesn't take down our boys. Hmmm, it is an interesting dilemma isn't it? Teaching girls that they don't NEED a man, but that men are still pretty awesome. Of course, it's also my responsibility to raise my son to be that awesome man for another girl. Okay, moving on.

I'm also loving this guide to eat cleaner. Of course, the first week might take me a month or two. I've been known to drink a cup of coffee followed by 1-2 Coke Zeroes per day. Last week I think I drank 3-4 Coke Zeroes ALL WEEK! None yesterday, trying for none today. Week 2 will be easier since I rarely eat fast food.

Found this old blog entry going through the LobotoME archives. It's also helped me with the decluttering, specifically Action Step #2. Of course, it would take a small miracle for my husband to agree to canceling cable. I blame the Red Zone Network.

That's it for now. I just realized how late it is and I have to get this in the crockpot!! Stay dry folks!

image from here

{ my sentiments exactly }

image via here

{ on my mind }

1. My latest green smoothie fav recipe - coconut water, mango, pineapple, kale and spinach and banana.
2. One of my favorite bloggers is back with a new blog about her families attempt to simplify their lives. I am so on board with this idea right now.
3. Love these products to teach kids about managing money. We made our own save, spend, share jars a few years ago but these are pretty darn cute! And there is a great deal on them on Mamasource today & tomorrow.
4. This post about FOOD and where it comes from and what is in it.
5. Love this post about Rest, Reflection & Renewal from Tsh at SimpleMom.
6. It seems that there are a lot of us stopping our blogs or taking a break this summer or considering some other form of internet sabbatical. I know I am.
7. Another amazing TED talk.
8. My favorite plane ticket buying site.

print and image above via here.

{ cha cha changes... part two }

Love all of the inquiries I'm getting about the sale of LobotoME...I feel very loved and also feel strongly that there is an amazing woman or family that will end up running this show and taking it above & beyond anything I dreamed possible. In the meantime, thank you all for your support!

I ran across this quote the other day and it fit perfectly... “If you are not relishing it, release it.” This speaks to exactly what we are trying to do. Trying to make the tough decision on whether to give up something you previously felt so passionately about is a pretty common thing I presume. But it doesn't make it easy to pull the trigger.

When you own your own small business you do EVERYTHING on your own. I am the designer, marketing manager, and head of PR. I am the website designer and google ad words expert. I am the bookkeeper, accountant, and tax-filer. I am the head of customer service. I am the director of sales. I am the shipping person and warehouse manager. All in about 15 hrs a week when I had daycare. And sometimes I am the CEO of BURNOUT because let’s face it, doing it all yourself is tiring. And doing it times THREE with three businesses and TWO kids equals quadruple burnout.

I’ve always been reluctant to ask for help in the physical world, and now I realize I’ve also been reluctant to ask for help from the spiritual world. But the reality is, I have big dreams for my family that are impossible to achieve without a little help from beyond. So this time I see an opportunity for satya - grace + freedom. This time I’m ready to ask for help. I'm asking for a great woman or family who wants a stay at home business opportunity to find ME. I'm asking for peace in releasing what I built and worked so hard on and poured my soul into. I'm asking for peace and serenity moving forward. And I'm seeking freedom for new adventures for me and my family.

print via here

{ on my mind }

1. Love her style + home.
2. Great post about meal planning using our Feed ME weekly meal planner.
3. Starting this wellness plan on Wednesday.
4. A great post about being unplugged. Contemplating taking the summer off from blogging, twitter & facebook. I'm quite certain the world, my social life & my business would survive it just fine. ;-)
5. Continually inspired by her.
6. I love Kickstart and this project by a friend.
7. Great post about minimalist finances.
8. Yummy kale chips.
9. The sweetest baby shower.
10. And this post...“Live simply, so that others may simply live.” -Mother Teresa

{ on my mind }

I haven't posted much about our weekly "helping others" and volunteering work that Samme & I have been doing. But last week, in light of the devastating tornadoes that ravaged the south we gathered supplies and sent some big boxes of stuff off to Convoy of Hope. Here's what they need (I found this list originally here).

Convoy of Hope in Joplin welcomes mailed material donations and are especially needing:

::Box tape
::Plastic totes
::Knee pads and work gloves
::New socks and underwear
::Tylenol and pain medication
::Canned foods
::Things for children: sidewalk chalk, bubbles, bouncy balls, crayons and coloring books, etc.

You can send donations to:

Convoy of Hope
330 South Patterson
Springfield, Missouri 65802

image via lex18.c0m

{ on my mind }

stressed out is what is going on in my mind this week. i was sick most of april (with this annoying dry cough that wouldn't/won't go away...the kids have had a stomach flu thing on & off the past 2 weeks and have been at home and not at school or daycare) so i haven't gotten an iota of work (or training done). it rained + snowed all of last week so i couldn't ride & train. i pulled my hamstring and am limping around with 5 days to go until the big race.

anyway, i've been trying to come up with some solutions to the (MY) stresses. stresses which I realize in the grand scheme of things are pretty small.

i've got the big bike race this weekend which i've barely trained for (ouch) but am going to hammer it out anyway. i raised over $2500 towards Livestrong & our local breast cancer center. thanks to all of you who generously donated. and i'm not going to quit now.

my garden is full of weeds and nothing else and i decided that is the way it is staying this year. i will buy my spinach, kale & tomatoes from the farmers market. a year off from my garden won't kill anyone.

i didn't get into any of the marathon lotteries i tried for and none in drive distance work out timing wise for me, so i'm putting that off until next year (it's a relief actually). and its okay.

i've got tons of people interested in buying LobotoME (and i just need to be patient) even though I'm ready to be DONE.

interested people in the camper have fallen through (again, i just need to be patient).

I keep trying to remind myself that SIMPLIFICATION doesn't happen overnight. in will ferrell's case it did, but you know he's will ferrell. i cannot wait to see this movie.

i also keep reading this quote. it speaks to me so much right now. "This is what endurance means to me right now. This is what I’m training for. It’s the ability to show up and keep up. It’s the ability to persevere when I’m tired. It’s the ability to sustain a good mood when I’m fading. It’s the ability to be there and mark moments with my precious kiddos while they still want to mark moments with me." ~ Kristin Armstrong ---- isn't that a great quote?

so that's what I'm going to do this week. show up & keep up. smile when i'm fading. be present with my kids. all else will fall into place.



image above via pinterest

{ on my mind }

“Waking up this morning, I smile.
Twenty-four brand new hours are before me.
I vow to live fully in each moment …”
~Thich Nhat Hanh

1. Loved this post.
2. And this post.
3. And this post about planning a summer schedule.
4. And this post about living a mindful lifestyle.

Have a great day & an awesome week!

{ on my mind }

1. Love this idea for a teacher appreciation gift!
2. This post is amazing.
3. I gave a big amen sister after reading this post.
4. This is brilliant.
5. Really want to see this film.
6. Great toddler activities list compiled by Marta.
7. And this great post on what it really means to take care of yourself. This really resonated with me.

Hope all of you mama's had a wonderful Mother's Day! I certainly did! Breakfast in bed - green smoothie ;-), snuggles, homemade goodies from the kids, more snuggles, a long bike ride, brunch with my parents and a relaxing evening at home....perfect!

{ on my mind }

1. Have I introduced you to my new favorite blog?
2. This has me all sorts of fired up.
3. This is one of the best parenting posts I've read in a long time and so right on.
4. And love everything about this inspiring post via Zen Habits (of course).
5. And of course the big news...


Love this print above via etsy. This is the quote that is at the top of our momME weekly planners

{ on my mind }

A friend sent me this quote the other day and I fell in love with it...

"May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us."

{ on my mind }

1. Great road tripping with kids tips.
2. Based upon this Henry is going to be at least 6'5'' - which is a very good thing because all he wants to do is play basketball. But this also means he likely will be taller than me by age 7.
3. Very interesting.
4. Handy Household tips.
5. Hilarious.
6. Going to make these this week.
7. And can we all give a big {amen} for this article.
8. Last week spent fighting off a nasty cold so didn't work out except for hot yoga class last night - I thought I'd sweat it out of me. Remains to be seen whether that was smart or not. Planning on getting some big road bike rides in this week (fingers crossed) and lots more yoga. Four weeks til the big race. Ouch.

Hope you all have a great week! GO!

{ on my mind }

1. Love this post about Redefining Your Lovely Life.
2. Love this birthday camping party! Fun!
3. Great tips about traveling on long flights with kids. A must bookmark.
4. This picture via Lululemon is right on in my mind.
5. Love these stickers from Blue Raddish Studios!
6. Been studying this Middle East map & more world history lately...I'm determined to know way more than Sarah Palin. (ouch) :-)
6. I wrote about this before, but I love Suze Orman's take on kids allowance.
7. Love this post about building a "Capsule Wardrobe"....this is what I'm working on...everything coordinates, all are basic pieces with fun accents.
8. An awesome post from ManvsDebt about 24 quick things you can do right now to change your financial future.
9. And a great post with tips oh how to get "UN-busy."
10. And a post on 11 Reasons to take an around the world trip.
11. Love this post...Simple Living isn't about Deprivation.

image above discovered here + original source here

{ check, check }

I've been busting a move around here the past few weeks. Mostly because I had no other choice. Stuff just had to get done. And trust me when I say, none of it has been perfect.
1. 1st event production of the season complete. Sun + Safe Race = Happy Racers and a happy Jenny.
2. Working on yard projects. The sun has been out and I've been raking until the sun goes down. Started planning the garden space (still too soon to plant outdoors) and can't wait until my lettuce, spinach & kale start growing again.
3. Samme's 7th Birthday Party. Sleepover + Icecream Sundaes + Tangled + Popcorn = Six Happy & Hilarious & Giggling Little Girls and one tired mama.
4. Been training. Did a LONG ride last week and have an even longer ride planned for this week...up, up + over the mountains. Its not going to be a perfect race. Or an easy race. But I'm going to get it done.
5. Been getting back on my yoga mat. I can feel it in my bones + in my spirit when I've been away from the mat too long. My practice isn't perfect but all that matters is making time to do it.
6. Been purging some more. Why oh why do I do this all the time and there is still WAY TOO MUCH STUFF?
7. Been dreaming about getting a new hot tub. I know it is more STUFF and another thing to take care of but Will & I do our best communicating while sitting in that thing late at night after the kids have gone to bed. I think that in the long run a hot tub might wind up being less expensive than therapy, no?
8. Been eating too much birthday cake and crap. This week's goal - more green juice and salads and less crap. Again, my meals aren't perfect but they can be better than they have been. Off to dust off the juicer.

Have a great week! GO! Just get it DONE.

image via yes and yes

{ on my mind }

1. Love this vlog from Kris Carr. And speaking of her, she's on the cover of this month's Experience Life Magazine. Go Kris, GO!
2. A great article about the Top Ten Money Mistakes Parents Make with Kids.
3. Love this post about Ten Tips for a Mindful Home.
4. Cutest gift for a little girl ever...
5. Love this post about public schools.
6. Am in love with this blog + blogger. Just the kick in the pants I needed this month. Her vision board pictured above.
7. Great post about simplifying your family life.
8. I want to be able to pack + travel this lightly.
9. A great post about 50 Things you need to give up today.
10. Love his 42 goals in 42 months list.
11. Really interesting post about Tech Free Time for kids.

Have a great week! GO!

SmileWithYourHeart vision board pictured above. Isn't it great?

{ on my mind }

I'm taking a few weeks off from the blog...busy over here gearing up for our first race of the season; spring cleaning; shipping orders; and planning Samme's birthday celebrations at the end of the month. Cheers!

ps - A yummy green smoothie recipe found here.

cute image via etsy

{ on my mind...the spending diet }

Love this quote above via Sherbet Blossom. I've been thinking about this a lot lately especially in light of the Spending Hiatus (beginning today). This year I'm calling it the Spending Diet via Anna at Then She Saved. Because to me it is like a diet - there are still the necessities (mortgage, utilities, gas + healthy food) but there doesn't need to be the random, unnecessary purchases or consumptions like Forever21 clothes and cupcakes. So, the Spending Diet has begun. I will be reporting back on a weekly basis...

{ on my mind }

1. Great post about time management / priorities at Pure Mama's blog.
2. Great video about the Zero Waste Family...I'd really like to do better at this...I mean we recycle & compost but we still have a lot of trash each week.
3. Great post about Creating Your Financial Journey Road Map from SimpleMom.
4. That's all I've got. Full weekend ahead - Samme's last basketball game of the season = basketball cupcakes; birthday parties + sleepovers; bounce house visits; and church. Hope to find some quiet time to dive into a new book I have from the library, get some yoga on, spin class and get a few things done around here. Have a great weekend my friends!

My morning Green Juice pictured above. Apple, Spinach, Kale, Cucumber, Celery, Parsley + Lemon. YUM.

{ on my mind...money }

So the thing I get asked to blog about the most is finances...which is hilarious since 1) that is clearly not my area of expertise and 2) I don't think I have ever balanced a checkbook. But it is something that we all have to think about and do something about, right? So, some $ things on my mind lately...

- Danielle LaPorte always gets me fired up about all sorts of good things. But her 20 personal money practices that got me to a place of grooving prosperity (and Part 2) are so great. My favorites include when she says that "Money Management is about FOCUSING ON CREATING FREEDOM." And her great bank account names include ADVENTURE + CARE and I'm setting my kid up for the future. She says that investing for her son "gives me very deep peace. Everyone deserves a leg up." LOVE! Go read the rest of her list now!

- Love this article about a family's No Spend Month. I have been reading lots of stuff like this in an attempt to get my frugal groove back ON after several months off the bandwagon.

- Love Joslyn's new project...Operation Simplicity. She will be blogging about everything she gets rid of and brings into her home over the next year.

- Loved this story about a family that bought a house with CASH. No mortgage. No debt. Voila.

live simply print above via etsy

{ on my mind }

1. Love the tagline on the back of this cookbook: Life is not chaotic: It’s rich.

2. I love reading about work at home mom's daily routines like Ali Edwards.

3. Love Ali's Follow Your Heart post.

4. Love everything about this home tour.

5. Love this post By Paula about Simplicity.

6. Love the mantra shown above from StephModo.

7. On our menu this week....Lots of smoothies, fish & steamed veggies, salads & soups & green juice galore.

8. Speaking of food, I love these photographs of healthy meals.


9. Sweetest Naturally Healthy Valentine's Idea ever...


It's almost Friday! Have a great weekend! GO!